Playing Video Files

From Applepedia

Contents 1 Video Players 2 QuickTime Codecs 2.1 Indeo 3 More Reading

Video Players

For a smooth video playing experience, install the following software:

• VideoLAN Client (multi-codec)

Will play most everything, but has some problems with wmv files. Not everyone is happy with the interface.

• Mplayer OS X (multi-codec)

Will play most everything, but has some problems with wmv files. Not everyone is happy with the interface (although if you get the one from mplayerhq.hu it's a bit better than the sourceforge one).

• XinePlayer (multi-codec)

XinePlayer is relatively new (based on xine), plays most everything, and has a nice interface. In addition to what VLC/MPlayer support, it has support for VP3 (used by GBSTV). It can't handle non-DVD subtitles.

• Flip4Mac (WMV/ASF)

Flip4Mac will let you play WMV files (including the WMV3 codec). The application is now free for viewing wmv files and has replaced Windows Media Player for Macintosh. It will also allow you to play these files in QuickTime and within web browsers.

• RealOne Player (Real Media)

And last but not least, RealOne Player is for any Real files that fail in other players, and embedded RealMedia files. RealOne for Mac is not at all as bad as for Windows or as bad as old version. It doesn't nag for registration, and it doesn't take over your system.

QuickTime Codecs

These are optional, if you want to play video with QuickTime (and thus have access to previews in Finder, burning support with iDVD/Toast/whatever, etc)

• DivX.com codec

The DivX.com codec is to let QuickTime understand AVI files with MP3 audio, and play back the MPEG4 codec

• XViD Delegate

The XVID Delegate Component tells QuickTime to handle AVI files where the codec is marked as "XVID" using the DivX component above (which by default handles only "DIVX" and friends).

• AC3 codec

The AC3 codec adds support for AC3 surround sound.

• Ogg Vorbis

Adds support for the Ogg Vorbis audio codec

• Flip4Mac

WMV/ASF, including WMV3. See above.

• Audio

See QuickTime Components for audio codecs

Indeo

For AVI files with the Indeo codec, the only current solution is to use OS 9 (works fine in Classic), and install the following Quicktime Components:

• Indeo 3.2: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30903
• Indeo 4.4: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30904
• Indeo 5: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60366

More Reading

• The SH/SC Wiki has a nice overview of formats, and its own guide to playing video on a Mac that has some resources for OS 9 http://shsc.info/PlayingVideoFiles
• wikipedia QuickTime Wiki
• QuickTime for OS X Wiki with tons of links and information on codecs and components